Two stages are behind us, eight teams have already been eliminated, and the field has been cut in half. Now, the IEM Cologne Major 2026 enters its most important phase yet.
Stage 3 brings together the tournament favorites — Vitality, NAVI, Spirit and Falcons — alongside the teams that fought their way through the opening stages. Some arrive with momentum after multiple wins, while others enter the Major for the very first time.
There is no room for easy draws anymore. Every team left in the competition has already proven it belongs here, and every series could have playoff implications.
For B8, BetBoom, Monte, Legacy and 9z, this is an opportunity to continue their Cinderella runs. For organizations like Vitality, NAVI, G2 and Falcons, it is the beginning of the path they hope ends with lifting the trophy in Cologne. And unlike the first two stages, there will be no BO1 chaos to hide behind.
Stage 3 Format
Stage 3 will take place from June 11-15 and will feature a 16-team Swiss System.
- All matches are played as BO3 series.
- Teams that reach three wins advance to the Playoffs.
- Teams that reach three losses are eliminated.
- The top eight teams move on to the LANXESS Arena.
The biggest change compared to Stages 1 and 2 is the complete removal of BO1 matches. Every game in Stage 3 will be played as a best-of-three.
According to Tedd, this is exactly how a Major should be played once the elite teams enter the tournament.
I think once the big teams join, everything should be best of three. It’s more entertaining, it’s better for the audience
The analyst believes BO1s still have value in the opening stages, where lower-ranked teams are trying to qualify. However, once teams like Vitality, Spirit, NAVI and Falcons enter the competition, BO3s become a much better test of skill.
A longer format rewards preparation, deeper map pools and adaptation during a series. It also gives direct invites a fairer environment after entering the Major without the stage experience accumulated by teams that already played through the first two phases.
If a team like Monte or 9z makes the playoffs through BO3s, then everybody knows they deserve to be there
The downside is simple: there will likely be fewer upsets. BO3s make the tournament more stable and reduce the chances of a weaker team stealing a victory on a single map.
But as Stage 3 begins, most teams would gladly accept that trade-off. From this point forward, every playoff spot must be earned across a full series.
Favorites
Stage 3 begins with four clear title contenders: Vitality, Spirit, NAVI and Falcons.
read more
Vitality remain the benchmark of Counter-Strike despite not having played a single match at the Major yet. Tedd still sees them as the team to beat and believes they remain the strongest roster in the world.
I still think Vitality are winning this Major. They’re the greatest team that has ever touched this game
Spirit arrive with arguably the most dangerous player in the tournament. Donk dominated Stage 2 and once again looks capable of carrying his team deep into the event. The absence of hally remains a concern, especially in close playoff matches, but Tedd still considers Spirit one of the few teams capable of stopping Vitality.
NAVI enter Cologne with different expectations. Unlike other contenders, the pressure around NAVI comes from their own consistency. Strong results throughout the season and excellent individual form from players like w0nderful, b1t and makazze have established them as one of the safest playoff picks.
Falcons may be under more pressure than anyone else. The additions of karrigan and kyousuke to a roster already featuring NiKo and m0NESY have created enormous expectations. After consecutive grand final losses, anything less than a deep playoff run would be viewed as a disappointment.
There’s going to be massive expectations. They just signed one of the greatest IGLs in Counter-Strike history
Strong Playoff Contenders
Just below the favorites sits a group of teams capable of making a serious run if the bracket falls their way.
read more
G2 enter Stage 3 after an impressive showing in Stage 2. Tedd was extremely confident when comparing them to PARIVISION, highlighting the team’s structure, the impact of NertZ and the continued development of SunPayus. While questions remain about the map pool, he still sees G2 as a legitimate playoff contender.
G2, easily G2
FURIA are another team receiving strong praise. Recent results have not always reflected their potential, but Tedd believes the roster has looked significantly better in recent events. The additions around molodoy and YEKINDAR appear to be working, and he expects FURIA to comfortably fight for a playoff spot.
FURIA is a clean sweep to make it out of the group stage and into the playoffs
FUT may not carry the same expectations as the established Tier 1 organizations, but their mechanical level is impossible to ignore. According to Tedd, the young roster is playing with very little pressure and has already shown enough firepower to compete with anyone in the field.
The MongolZ remain one of the most dangerous wildcards in the tournament. Their experience at top events gives them an advantage over many Stage 2 teams, but inconsistency continues to be an issue. Tedd expects them to be involved in the playoff race until the final day of the Swiss stage.
read more
Dark Horses
The biggest storylines from the opening stages belong to the teams that fought their way through Stage 2.
BetBoom continue to impress despite competing with a stand-in. Tedd repeatedly highlighted their firepower, comparing them to some of the strongest shooting teams in the world. He believes they are being heavily underrated by the community.
BetBoom is right there alongside Spirit, FURIA and Falcons when it comes to pure firepower
Monte have quietly put together another impressive Major campaign. Their balanced roster, strong mid-round calling and improved individual performances make them one of the most dangerous underdogs in Stage 3.
Legacy remain difficult to evaluate. Fresh off a Tier 1 title, they entered Cologne with momentum but looked less dominant than expected in Stage 2. Even so, Tedd still believes they belong among the strongest of the Stage 2 qualifiers.
B8 continue to be one of the best stories of the Major. After falling to 0-2 in Stage 2, they completed a reverse sweep to reach Stage 3. Their opening match against FURIA will immediately test whether this run can continue against elite opposition.
9z might not receive the same attention as some of the other teams, but Tedd believes their momentum and confidence make them dangerous. Like Monte, Legacy and BetBoom, he expects them to be firmly in the playoff conversation.
read more
I think one of Monte, BetBoom, Legacy or 9z will make the playoffs
Teams With Questions To Answer
Not every team arrives in Stage 3 with positive momentum.
PARIVISION continue to struggle for consistency and are surrounded by rumors of future roster changes. Tedd was particularly skeptical about their chances and even included them among his 0-3 picks.
Aurora find themselves in a similar position. The roster has enough firepower to challenge almost anyone, but recent performances have left significant doubts about their ability to consistently compete against top opposition.
MOUZ may be the hardest team to predict. Roster changes and role adjustments have created uncertainty heading into the Major. While their ceiling remains extremely high, Tedd believes they are also capable of producing one of the biggest disappointments of Stage 3.
They’re completely capable of dropping a lot of games and having a very disappointing Major
No matter where each team falls in these categories, Stage 3 is where the real Major begins. With every match played as a BO3 and only eight playoff spots available, there will be little room for mistakes. By the end of the Swiss stage, the true contenders for the IEM Cologne Major 2026 title will finally emerge.
Skin.Club Pick’Em Challenge
With Stage 3 moving to a full BO3 format, Pick’Em predictions become even tougher. The direct invites finally enter the tournament, while teams like B8, BetBoom, Monte and Legacy already have momentum from the earlier stages. Deciding who to trust won’t be easy.
Tedd’s own Pick’Em features Spirit and FURIA as his 3-0 selections.
Spirit have been perfect in Major group stages, and FURIA usually perform very well in these scenarios.
For his 0-3 picks, he chose B8 and PARIVISION. Whether you agree with those predictions or not, now is the perfect time to lock in your Pick’Em and see if you can outperform the analysts as the race for the playoffs begins. Don’t forget to make your predictions in the Skin.Club Pick’Em Challenge and compete with other Counter-Strike fans throughout the Major.
